Run Away With Me

Chapter 25 (Katherine)

Hannah's over for dinner again. I honestly don't mind, she's great. I decided to turn in early though, give them some 'space.' I tried to text Jack, but he hasn't answered. I suppose it's pretty late there, and he does have work tomorrow. I sigh and flop back on my bed. I pull open my camera roll, and scroll back as far as I can. Around sophomore year, I got a new phone and all my old photos were lost in the transfer. But I still have plenty of memories.  

Right now I'm scrolling through my latest memories, which date back to right about graduation. The last picture I took was of me, Jojo, Race and Albert, out at the park. I wish I had some pictures from when I was in New York. There were so many moments I wish I could've captured. But, alas, I guess some memories are meant to be just that.  

A soft knock at the door shocks me out of my thoughts. 

"Come in." I begin to think that they didn't hear me, but the door opens and Hannah steps in. She doesn't say anything, just comes and sits next to me on the bed. She takes the phone out of my hand and stares at the picture. A smile grows on her face, as she scrolls through my photos. Normally I would never let anyone do that, but for some reason it doesn't bother me. I watch as various photos go by, mainly with me, Jack or Davey. But Race, Albert, Crutchie, Jojo, and Spot are all sprinkled in there. Every once in a while one will pop up with me and my dad, or just a sunset I thought was pretty. Eventually, she sets down the phone and looks at me. 

"You miss them, don't you?" 

"A bit," I say with a shrug. Hannah shakes her head. 

"Wrong. I know you miss them more than a bit," she says with a smile. I laugh a little as I shake my head and we fall into a companionable silence. Hannah was right though. I did miss them, a great deal more than I let on. But I did want to be here for my dad. Part of me just wishes I could be here for him from New York. 

"What are you doing here?" I jump a little, forgetting Hannah was still there. 

"Well, this is my room, so." She laughs. 

"No, I mean, what are you doing back in Kansas? I know you would rather be in New York." I sigh and shake my head. 

"I can't just leave my dad." 

"Sure you can! I'm fairly certain I remember him telling me how he even offered to let you go back!" I sit in silence, trying to decide how I want to phrase my response. 

"I just can't help but feel like I'm all he has left. My mom already left us, and I don't want to leave him too," I say, my voice hitching a little. Hannah reaches over and puts a much needed arm around my shoulders and pulls me into her. I turn and hide my face in her shoulder. No, not hide. Because I'm not crying, not really. A few tears slide down, but that's it. What I'm doing now is different though. Bury. That's what I'm doing. Taking in familiarity of a comforting shoulder to cry on. 

Gently, as if tending to a wounded animal, Hannah reaches up and runs her fingers through my hair. When she comes to a knot, she carefully works her fingers through it. I feel the tension that I didn't know I had release. My eyelids droop, and I subconsciously lean heavier and heavier into Hannah. Eventually, whether it having been one minute or one hour, something in my subconscious clicks and I realize Hannah has a date to get back to. Slowly, I ease myself out of her arms and lie down. She pulls the comforter over me, and places a quick kiss to my forehead. She makes her way to the door. 

"Hannah?" I try to ignore how obviously tired I sound. Hannah turns and smiles at me. 

"Yes, Katherine?" 

"Do you really think I should go back to New York?" Her smile changes, but doesn't leave. 

"No, darling. I know so." She gives me a small wink before closing the door behind her. I can't help but smile a bit to myself. For some inexplicable reason, Hannah has given me hope. A small ray of sunshine for me to hold onto. Of course, I have no idea why. I've only met Hannah, what, twice? I guess there's something about her that makes you want to trust her. Which, is kinda weird, because she also has that mischievous glint in her eye, that makes you think she's up to something. So maybe trust is the wrong word. Safe. Something about Hannah just makes you feel safe. 

I think about what she said, about New York. Could I really go back? I would love nothing more, of course. And I'm not really leaving Dad alone, he'll have Hannah. It'd be a bit of an awkward reunion though, would it not? I mean, I leave for a week, with really heartfelt letters and everything. Oh gosh, the letters! I groan audibly as I think of what I wrote in some of them. No, not some. Most were pretty predictable, you know, I love you's and don't be sad's. But of course, I had to turn Jack's into a sappy, hot mess. I mentally scold myself. I wrote what I wrote for a reason, and I will stand by it. Besides, it's not like Jack will reject it. His crush on me is pretty obvious, as much as he tries to hide it.  

I sigh and shift a little to get comfy. No use dwelling on this now. I'll probably forget by morning anyway. And so I fall into a gentle, dreamless sleep.